Taylor's Treasures

Monday, May 18, 2009

This morning was cool enough we needed a jacket when heading to school. Jasmine (who I don't believe was completely awake) said, 'Why is it so cold, I thought we were done with all of this!'. Yep, that's my girl. I LOVE the warm weather and even the hot days. Bring it on, I am ready!!

Our calendar is already jam packed full of events. Weekend before last we went camping with our small group from church and had a really great weekend. Four couples camped and another came for the day -- totaling 10 adults and 14 children -- (yes, that number is correct) the adults were outnumbered, but luckily some of the children were pre-teens and were able to keep the little ones busy.

This last weekend was full of parties—birthday and graduation.

On another subject, something I am very excited about is a Costco just opened up close to us. We went Saturday to sign up and they were having a local vendor day. One of the vendors took pictures of the kids and emailed them to me.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Cash is playing soccer this year, poor guy has been waiting for 3 years to play and when it is finally time we can't catch a break with the weather. Due to the rainy weekends he has been able to have 1 practice and 1 game -- and the season is half way over.

Jasmine has been a mess lately. This year she is in 1st grade and did GREAT the first semester. Since then it has been downhill. The frustrating part is that she can do the work, she just spends too much time goofing off to get it done. ~sigh~ please say a prayer for her in those regards...thank you very much!

Our summer calendar is already filling up and I am so excited. We have a couple of camping trips planned, a trip to Houston, swim lessons, VBS, camp, family reunions...I could go on.

And lastly, my new favorite thing to do, FREE shopping! At least that is what I call it. I have a coupon binder now and watch the sales and get tons and tons of stuff for FREE...no lie. Last weekend I went to Kroger and got 4 boxes of Pillsbury brownie mix, 4 packages of Quaker snacks, 4 suave deodorants, 4 packages of angel soft toilet paper, 4 packages of McCormick's grill mates seasonings...all for FREE. I also got quite a bit of other products for practically nothing like caprisuns, steam-fresh veggies and Lawry's marinades. I am having so much fun with this!!

They are launching a Sweet Deals menu and I am excited. For bloggers they are offering a FREE gift card for anyone who writes a blog post linking to them about what deal I'd make with them to try their Sweet Deals for FREE. And if you have followed my blog for ANY amount of time, you know how much I like FREE.

So, in order to try DQ's Sweet Deals for FREE, I am willing to....write this post. Cause as much as I like FREE, I'm also a little lazy and don't really want to make a lot of promises I have no intention of following through with :)

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

For some time my favorite blog has been Pioneer Woman. Well, I have a new one, http://www.wantitall4free.blogspot.com/ . If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know how much I enjoy a good deal or even better FREE stuff. Well this site has lots and lots of deals and freebies.

Monday I went to Walgreen's, spent $47 and will be getting a $41 rebate soon. I got lots of good stuff, that is already being put to good use.

And Tuesday I rented my first movie from a Redbox, for FREE. And I'm not talking an oldie, I'm talking a brand new release.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Oh how I love smoothies. And I must admit, Jasmine has acquired my fondness. Anytime we are offering up a reward -- whether it be for behavior at school or keeping their room clean -- Jasmine always requests a trip to Smoothie King, while Cash is all about McDonald's.

Not until recently have I attempted to make them on my own. So easy and much more economical. My favorite is strawberry-banana, I have been making myself one for lunch everyday for the last couple of weeks. Now I just need to find a few more recipes, cause Jasmine digs the grape.

I mostly eyeball it at this point, but here is the recipe I began with:

And sweet Jasmine has decided we should no longer drive our van in an effort to stop the world from deterioration -- but more especially so the polar bears won't go extinct. I mentioned that she might want to be a vet since she has such a soft heart for animals and her reply:

'Oh no, I'm going to be a Rock Star. Cause music is in my heart and I just have to follow my dreams.'

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

OK. Here is the deal. I got a new computer and have not yet had the opportunity to download the software that coordinates with my camera. And I just don't enjoy posting without pictures.

I am happy to get back to a normal schedule after the holidays. From Thanksgiving until just last week we have been very busy. And with the MLK holiday this week, Jasmine has still not been back to school for a full week since before Christmas. Next weekend there is nothing on the calendar and I am going to do my best to keep it that way. Sometimes you just need to do nothing (or stay home at least -- I plan to stay busy cleaning out cabinets and such :).

Hope everyone is doing well, and that I still have a few people popping in.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

We have done lots of fun things these last couple of weeks including a bonfire, a BOY sleepover (which made Cash very happy), a play, a candlelight Christmas parade and so much more. So much so the week after Thanksgiving Cash started going into withdrawals, because we weren't as busy...'Momma, where are we going today?'

Following are pictures of our family favorite, the Nieman Marcus Children's Christmas Parade in Downtown Dallas. I won reserved tickets off the radio so we were able to sit in the bleachers instead of fighting for a place on the street. We had a great time. We saw Strawberry Shortcake, Funshine and Tenderheart Bear, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk and many many more. Fun Fun Fun...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Ok, now we are cooking.I made this tortilla soup recipe this weekend and it was very good.

We had a fire going in the fireplace Saturday so I roasted the corn and poblano pepper there instead of on the stove top.I also added a can of rotel for some spice.Next time I will probably blend the rotel to make the soup less chunky – I like my soup liquidy.All in all, I think this recipe is a keeper.Thank goodness, I think this is about the fifth one I've tried.

Set a stovetop burner to medium heat, and, using a pair of tongs, hold the corn directly over the fire. Roast the corn over the open flame until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Rotate the corn and continue roasting until the entire surface of the corn is browned. Set the corn aside to cool, and once cooled, cut the kernels from the cob and set aside until ready to use. Use the same technique with the poblano pepper, being sure to char the skin until it is black. Once the pepper is charred, place in a sealable plastic bag and allow to steam. After 5 minutes, remove the pepper from the bag and peel off the charred skin. Discard the seeds and stem end, and set the pepper aside.

In a Dutch oven or large heavy pot, heat the oil on medium-high heat. Season the chicken with cumin, salt and coriander. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until brown. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Dice the poblano and add. Add the corn and reserve some for garnish. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add the cilantro and lime juice, stir to combine, and remove from the heat. Cover to keep warm.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

I've been promising for some time now pictures of Cash's birthday…I know, finally.

The weather was so great, we were able to do the entire party outside.We had lots of fun with a bounce house, piñata, crafts and decorate your own cupcakes.I had a couple games planned, but after the first one crashed and burned I bailed on that idea.Here was the concept of the first game.Hulk Stomp – tie a balloon to the ankle of each child and they try to pop each other's balloons.Now I remember playing this when I was young without incident.That was not the case: 1. The balloons popped without being stomped since we were outside and they were running. 2. Small children do not like for their balloons to be popped even if it is a game, serious meltdowns occurred.

Cash got lots of great gifts – Spiderman this, Hulk that, throw in a Batman or two and Cash is a happy boy.He also got some cowboy boots, which he loves and would wear with his shorts if mommy didn't intercede.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

So Friday when Joe and the kids went into the house, the house was hot and smelled like something was burning. Upon inspecting the house he found that our furnace closet was very very hot. He then turned off the main breaker and called the fire department. Once they arrived and walked the house they said we were literally moments away from having a flash fire in our house. Apparently the relay thingamajig wasn't working and even though the thermostat was not on, the furnace had been running all day. When they looked through their special goggles to see what is hot, our unit was smoldering. Needless to say, I have said many many thank you prayers to our Lord above for allowing us to come through this ordeal.

We were suppose to go to this super awesome new place w/ mini golf, go-karts, bowling, bumper cars, etc. with a old friend I hadn't seen in a number of years. But instead, we were instructed to stay at the home front to make sure nothing ignited. Which we gladly did.

* * Thank you Lord Jesus for sparing our home and our possesions. Thank you for the reminder that what matters is not what is in the home, but the people who live in it. I will be mindful to give you the Glory, Honor and Praise in all that I do. Amen! * *

Monday, November 10, 2008

Monday already, can't hardly believe it. Weekend came and went and I think I am more tired than I was when it started. Didn't have a chance to make it to the grocery store and won't this afternoon either. Hopefully tomorrow. If not, we are in trouble when it comes to lunches and dinner. Here is what I have planned...

Monday - Pork Chops, broccoli, mac&cheese and rolls

Tuesday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies

Wednesday - I'm at Bible Study - Frozen pizzas

Thursday - Chicken stir fry w/ egg rolls

Friday - BBQ pork sandwiches and french fries

Our weekend started off with a big scare, but got better from there. One thing you don't want to see when you pull into your drive on a Friday afternoon when you have plans for the eveing is a fire truck....

Friday, November 07, 2008

Here is the run down from Cash's actual birthday.I took the day off of work and it was all about him.First things first – Cash loves donuts!So I went to the donut store before the house got up (and since we are in the country this is a pretty good drive).And since his bday is just before Halloween they have them in fun shapes.Jasmine had a ghost and Cash had a bat.After dropping Jas off at school we went to the Dr. for his check-up where he had to get 4 shots L, but our tough boy didn't even cry (never has, even when we was getting 3 month shots).After the Dr. we went to Wal*Mart to pick out a present, so many choices, that was a tough one for him.Next was the $1 movie where we saw Wall-E.Then to pick up Jasmine at school.After getting Jasmine he requested a trip to the Library where he picked out three Iron Man books and a Batman.Then to Denny's for dinner.We had an awesome day!Here are the picks.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

We Have been so busy lately, I don't even know where to begin.Since my last post we have been to the zoo, cash turned 4 and had a birthday party, Halloween came and went…needless to say I have lots and lots of pictures and I want to share each and every one of them.These are from Boo at the Zoo and Trunk or Treat, I will post Cash's Birth-day and party tomorrow.